What Does Charging Look Like for a Fleet?

What Does Charging Look Like for a Fleet?

How charging fits into the daily operation.

When a fleet starts looking at electric vehicles, charging is one of the first things that needs to be figured out. Where will vehicles charge? When will they charge? And how much EV charging infrastructure will the fleet need? The answers depend on how the vehicles are used and what the daily schedule looks like.

It Starts With the Schedule

Many commercial electric vehicles follow fairly predictable schedules, which can make fleet charging easier to plan. Vehicles that return to the same location at the end of the day can often charge while they are parked, making overnight EV charging a good option for many fleets. Other operations may need vehicles to charge during the day, especially if they run multiple shifts or have limited time between routes.

How Much Charging Is Needed?

Charging needs will look different from one fleet to another. The number of vehicles, daily mileage, energy use, and time between routes all play a role in determining how much charging infrastructure is needed for an electric vehicle fleet.

For example, a small fleet where vehicles return to the same facility each evening may have very different needs from a larger fleet with vehicles operating throughout the day. Looking at how commercial electric vehicles are actually being used can help determine how many chargers are needed and when they need to be available.

The Facility Matters

The vehicles themselves are only part of the EV charging infrastructure equation. Fleets also need to consider the electrical capacity at their facility, where chargers can be installed, how vehicles will be parked, and whether utility upgrades may be needed.

These details can take time to plan, especially for larger fleets. Starting the fleet electrification and charging infrastructure conversation early can help identify what needs to happen before vehicles arrive.

Making Charging Part of the Routine

For many electric fleets, charging will become another part of the daily schedule, much like fueling is today. Vehicles return, connect to their chargers, and are ready for their next shift.

The key is making sure the fleet charging strategy matches the fleet’s schedule and vehicle needs. Understanding those requirements ahead of time can help fleets plan for the transition and avoid problems once electric vehicles are in service.

Contact

Danny Gonzalez

Danny.Gonzalez@ride.co